Bunny Lane is a contemporary residence on Orcas Island, Washington, completed in 2018 by Heliotrope Architects as a retreat for longtime island visitors. The brief called for a house that would reference the local vernacular while providing modern comforts, resulting in a design that takes cues from traditional farm structures found in the area. The plan responds to the clients’ wish for a building that fits quietly in its setting and evokes the timeless qualities of the island landscape.
The composition consists of two main volumes: a shed-form structure dedicated to living and entertaining spaces, and an adjoining gable-roofed wing containing bedrooms, bathrooms, and utility areas. These forms combine to recall a "barn with a lean-to," blending agrarian references with a contemporary open-plan arrangement. Stepped massing allows each upper-level bedroom to benefit from water views over the spaces below. Generous decks extend on both sides of the house, providing sheltered outdoor areas adaptable to shifting wind conditions.
